polysaccharides

• Polysaccharides


  Molecules created by condensation reactions of multiple glucose monomers
• 3 Polysaccharides


  • Starch
  • Cellulose
  • Glycogen
• Starch


  • Found in plants
  • Insoluble store of glucose
• Cellulose


  • Found in plant cell walls
  • Provides structural strength
• Glycogen


  • Found in animals (muscle and liver cells)
  • Insoluble store of glucose
• Amylose


  Unbranched polymer of alpha-glucose with 1-4 glycosidic bonds, forms a helix
• Amylopectin


  Branched polymer of alpha-glucose with 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
• Glycogen is more highly branched than amylopectin, with more 1-6 glycosidic bonds
• Cellulose


  Polymer of beta-glucose with 1-4 glycosidic bonds, forms long straight chains held together by hydrogen bonds
• Structure of polysaccharides


  Determines their function
• Starch structure (helix and branching)

  Allows it to be compacted and rapidly hydrolyzed for glucose release
• Cellulose structure (long straight chains, hydrogen bonds)


  Provides structural strength to plant cell walls
• Glycogen structure (highly branched)


  Allows rapid hydrolysis to release glucose for energy in animals
• Polysaccharides are insoluble, which prevents them from affecting water potential and osmosis